SShhhhhhh - Silent but Quick - Help Needed

[robsob]

A few years since i built my last PC so catching up quickly. My quest this time is to build the fastest silent PC in a small-form case.

Cases like the Psile intrigue me:
http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/...psile_10a.html

but the limitation on motherboard will no doubt hinder CPU performance and upgrading.

Has anyone recently had success in a similar project or have some good hints?

What will mainly it be used for:

• Home PC for Photo + some Video editing (big disk + memory essential).
• Server for audio files (squeezebox)
• Skype

(so always on)

No real budget, looking initially for performance.

Thanks

[flanzig1]

That case requires a mini-itx motherboard and there is not many out there. If looking for smallness, then look towards SFF cases that support standard uATX motherboards.

[robsob]

Thanks, let me take a look.
If anyone had success running a DualCore processor in a fanless SFF system would be interested.

[flanzig1]

Could go with an Intel Core 2 Duo E6300. They run cooler than the older P4 D dual cores.
Any SFF case will still need fans.

[robsob]

Have worked on my slient-ish PC taking advice from this great forum. Thanks.

I am looking at the following set-up. Have some more budget, so any advice on component upgrades that would add a jump up in performance (or reduction in noise!) appreciated.

Quiet case - Antec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811129154

Mobo - ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131025

Quiet video card - GIGABYTE GV-NX76T256D-RH GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Silent Pipe II, Lead Free Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814125025

Power Supply - Antec EA430 ATX12V v2.0 430W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817371006

Processor
Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115003

Memory - 2GB - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-5400C4PT - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145167

HardDrives 2 * Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148140

CD/DVD - LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write and Replaceable White Front Panel Black SATA Model SH-16A7S-06 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106046

Mouse/Keyboard - Microsoft 69A-00001 Silver USB RF Wireless Ergonomics Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 Mouse Included - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16823109011


Many thanks!

[Alaron]

Since this PC isn't geared towards gaming, save a bit and go with a non-SLI motherboard like the Asus P5B: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131030

You can also save a bit with ValueSelect Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098

[glc]

Do you really need such a huge case? Look at the Sonata II - it's pretty quiet and comes with a good 450w power supply.

If you are going to buy XMS ram, get the DDR2-800. If you buy DDR2-667, just go with the Value Select.

I see why you picked that motherboard, but the P5B Deluxe also has heatpipe Northbridge cooling - and the standard P5B and P5B-E have totally passive Northbridge heatsinks. Save some cash here.

[robsob]

Thanks for advice -
The ASUS P5 is very well recomended here, but I am now getting confused as to which model i should order on NewEgg. Am i correct to go for the

ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131025
I dont think that this is SLI?

ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131028

As to the cases - i agree the P180 is big and i would like something smaller, but i made a case with the smaller Antec before and looking for a change. I am searching for something that looks less like a "tower of power" and more like a slick maching (the antec fusion?) but not having much luck. The 180 at least will keep things quiet.

For the hard drives, i did want to separate the OS from the file storage and will look at the RAPTOR. The Tomshardware review implies it will be quicker as a bootup device though should i wait for a SATA 2 version?


Thanks for all your help

[newbuilder14]

Go for the P5B Deluxe, P5B vanilla, or P5B-E.

Now for the hard drive, I'd honestly save some money and go with a more than ample Seagate 7200.10 SATA hard drive. They are nearly as fast as the Raptors.

The P180 is a nice case but you need to have a power supply with long cables. I suggest an Antec NeoHE or Seasonic S12:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151023

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103939

[Mr.Ferrari]

If you have the cash then a raptor for OS and a 7200.10 for data. Make sure you get a raptor model with NCQ.

And if you stick with the P180 then make sure you get a psu with long enough cables. Stay away from the Seasonic S12 series though, cables are on the short side.

[robsob]

Thanks to all. I will go for the smaller ncq raptor for OS and the seagate for storage.

Since i am aiming for silence - on the PSU i am looking at the Antec fanless Phantom
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817103926

looks to me from the site like the cables should fit, anyone tried it?

For the GPU this Gigabyte 7600 fanless card is my current plan, though reading mixed reviews.

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814125025

thanks

[glc]

Mr. F: The new Seasonics have long enough cables from what I've been reading. They have recently changed the S12's.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Good news, thanks for the heads up.

[newbuilder14]

The Sonata II is quiet, but not silent from my experience. In my opinion, I'd go with the P180, it has good airflow and when paired with the right PSU is a great case in my opinion.